The cold night wind buffeted the palace lanterns hanging in the corridor, as a crescent moon floated above the willow treetops, its light flowing like water.
Thinking of Zhu Lüyun’s assassination plans full of holes, Li Xuanzhen felt a deep weariness well up in his heart.
He rubbed his brow and asked, “Has she recruited more assassins?”
The eunuch shook his head and said, “Recently, Princess Fukang has been having frequent contact with the Hu people who have submitted to the capital.”
Everyone knew Princess Fukang despised the Hu people.
So the princess’s interactions with the Hu people were very suspicious.
The eunuch had obtained information from one of the princess’s maids that during her conversations with the Hu people, she mentioned a name: Princess Yiqing.
Princess Yiqing of the previous dynasty—Zhu Lüyun’s aunt—was married off in a peace alliance at age eighteen to an elderly chieftain of a Western Türkic tribe.
A few years ago, the princess’s attendant had fled back to the Central Plains at the risk of death, carrying her blood-written letter begging the last emperor to bring her back.
By then, the last emperor had already died tragically under the rebels’ blades, and the Guanzhong region was occupied by various military governors, with no one paying attention to the attendant’s plea.
The attendant later managed to meet Zhu Lüyun and told her about Princess Yiqing’s tragic fate.
Only then did Zhu Lüyun learn that the Hu tribes had an extremely barbaric and horrifying custom: when a father dies, the son inherits his stepmother; when an elder brother dies, the younger brother inherits his sister-in-law.
After the old chieftain died, Princess Yiqing became the new chieftain’s wife.
When the new chieftain died too, Princess Yiqing was married to his younger brother.
Soon after, the younger brother died in internal strife, and Princess Yiqing was taken as a concubine by the old chieftain’s grandson.
In just ten years, Princess Yiqing had been married to three generations of men from the same family.
What humiliation this was for a princess of noble birth!
Zhu Lüyun felt deep sympathy for this aunt she had never met and requested Li De to send troops to bring Princess Yiqing back.
Li De did not agree at the time.
The eunuch voiced his speculation: “Your Highness, could the princess be planning to ally with the Hu people, then borrow troops from His Majesty to rescue Princess Yiqing?”
Li Xuanzhen’s lips twisted.
What kind of princess was a princess of the previous dynasty?
Li De considered the costs and benefits before taking any action. He had given Zhu Lüyun her title because keeping her around was useful.
He would not let soldiers die in vain for a former noble lady who held no value.
The Central Plains had just stabilized, while the foreign powers in the northwest were strong. The Northern Rong, who claimed to be descendants of the Divine Wolf, boasted of having 100,000 mounted archers and had swept through the Northern Court.
If not for being blocked by the monk-sovereign of the Buddhist kingdom in the Western Regions, the Northern Rong would have already taken the entire Northern Route of the Western Regions.
The Northern Rong cavalry was unstoppable. Once they moved south, Chang’an would certainly fall.
That was why Li De was using gold, silver, and high positions to win over the Hu tribes while eliminating scattered tribal forces in Guanzhong. His strategy was to first divide the Hu people from within, making them hate each other so they would have no mind to invade the south, thereby reducing pressure on the northwestern military defense while maintaining constant awareness of each tribe’s movements.
At such a time, Zhu Lüyun’s schemes had no chance of success.
Li Xuanzhen paused in his steps, hesitated for a moment, then said, “Prepare horses. I will visit the princess’s residence.”
Yun’niang was stubborn and fixated on revenge. When she went crazy, she cared about nothing else. He had to make the situation clear to her.
The eunuch said with difficulty: “Your Highness, your lady has prepared a welcoming feast…”
For the Crown Prince to run off to see Princess Fukang on his first night back in the capital—what face would that leave for the Crown Princess?
Li Xuanzhen had already turned and walked away: “Tell her not to wait for me.”
The eunuch silently sighed and went to deliver the message.
The courtyard was brilliantly lit with a sumptuous feast laid out. There were rare delicacies and fine wines, tender meat grilled over charcoal gleaming with oil, and a troupe of Kucha musicians waiting in the corridor.
Crown Princess Zheng Biyu was dressed in formal attire, leading the Eastern Palace ladies as they waited for an hour.
The eunuch reported that Li Xuanzhen had gone to the princess’s residence.
Zheng Biyu said nothing.
The noble ladies and concubines immediately dropped their smiles, their faces flashing with irritation, jealousy, and contempt.
They had nothing to say about Princess Fukang and His Highness being well-matched.
If even the Crown Princess didn’t mind, what right did they as concubines have to be jealous?
But Princess Fukang simply refused to marry the Crown Prince, even when the Crown Princess kindly tried to persuade her.
If she wouldn’t marry, then fine—they could only secretly rejoice at that.
But Princess Fukang insisted on maintaining ambiguous ties with Li Xuanzhen.
Servants from the princess’s residence were constantly running to the Eastern Palace: the princess was sick, the princess was crying, the princess was angry and refusing to eat, the princess had quarreled with someone and been humiliated…
No proper status, just an unclear relationship.
It had become fodder for common people’s gossip.
“My Lady, this cannot go on!”
A noble lady couldn’t help but burst out in anger.
“The dynasty has already changed! His Majesty showed mercy by giving her a princess title, but she has no sense of shame, damaging the Crown Prince’s reputation like this. How can this continue?”
The noble lady had long disliked Zhu Lüyun.
Either marry properly or cut ties with the Crown Prince completely. She refused to marry yet insisted on entangling with the Crown Prince—willingly debasing herself!
The other concubines also started chattering complaints: “My Lady, it’s all over the capital now. Some troublemakers have even made songs about it to spread around. The streets are in an uproar—it’s harmful to His Highness’s reputation.”
“His Majesty is benevolent, His Highness is devoted, and you are so generous, My Lady—what more does she have to be precious about?”
“She still thinks she’s a real princess! If she truly doesn’t want to marry, then she shouldn’t keep seeking out the Crown Prince!”
Zheng Biyu’s expression remained calm as she waved her hand.
The discussion immediately stopped.
Zheng Biyu looked around, causing all the concubines to lower their heads.
Her face is unchanged, she gestured to the servants: “Since His Highness isn’t returning, let’s not waste good food. Begin the feast.”
The musicians immediately started playing lively music.
Everyone harbored resentment as they sullenly took their seats.
…
As Crown Prince Li Xuanzhen rode out of the palace, he passed by Li Zhongqian and Li Yaoying, brother and sister riding side by side.
The palace city was deep and dark, the night air cool.
Afraid Yaoying would catch a cold, Zhongqian took off his cloak and had her wear it.
Yaoying was playing with a jade box in her hands, giggling: “Brother, I’m not cold.”
The siblings had just hidden a box of treasures in the prince’s mansion, and Zhongqian had given her this jade box, which she was still excited about.
Zhongqian said, “Put it on.”
His voice was very gentle—to Li Xuanzhen’s ears, he seemed like a completely different person from usual.
Li Yaoying obediently put away the jade box and accepted the cloak.
Soon after, she raised her hand, waving the empty wide sleeves for Zhongqian to see, gesturing as she said: “Brother, look, I have grown taller! Before when I wore your fur cloak, the sleeves were this much longer…”
Li Zhongqian’s deep, soft laughter came through the flickering firelight.
Li Xuanzhen passed by the two with an expressionless face.
Neither sibling looked at him as they rode laughing into the narrow gateway.
Li Yaoying wore a veiled hat, so Li Xuanzhen couldn’t see her face clearly, but from her delicate, gentle laughter behind him, he could imagine her expression.
His lips curled in mockery.
If Li Yaoying saw Li Zhongqian’s ruthlessness on the battlefield and knew that Li Zhongqian had massacred city after city to achieve victory, not sparing even young children, would she still dare to act so intimately coquettish with him?
Li Zhongqian’s title of “Little Tyrant” wasn’t earned for nothing.
…
Noble Consort Xie’s chambers were in the northeast corner of Taiji Palace, far from the other consorts.
Usually, few people came to Cuifang Palace, but today the hall was brightly lit, with a line of attendants at the steps surrounding an ornate gold-topped curtained palanquin waiting there.
Yaoying dismounted and frowned, asking the approaching eunuch: “Whose palanquin is that?”
The eunuch bowed and answered: “It’s Noble Consort Rong’s palanquin.”
Yaoying’s face darkened: “Who let Noble Consort Rong into the hall?”
Noble Consort Rong had been a maid of the Xie family. She had been most favored in recent years, and after Li De ascended the throne, he gave her the title of Noble Consort Rong.
The other palace consorts were mostly from noble families and looked down on Noble Consort Rong.
Noble Consort Rong herself was also insecure about her servant background, and whenever she found the chance, she would publicly make things difficult for Noble Consort Xie, using the humiliation of her former master as a way to establish authority.
Yaoying naturally wouldn’t stand by and watch Noble Consort Rong bully her mother.
After suffering several setbacks from Yaoying, Noble Consort Rong no longer dared to act rashly.
Yaoying quickened her pace.
Noble Consort Xie couldn’t handle provocation—who knew what Noble Consort Rong might say to her when Yaoying wasn’t around?
The eunuch repeatedly apologized: “In the afternoon when the Noble Consort woke up, she said she wanted to go to the garden to see the peonies. We didn’t expect Noble Consort Rong to be there too. The Noble Consort doesn’t remember things from before and starts chatting with Noble Consort Rong. We were anxious but afraid of frightening the Noble Consort, so we didn’t dare say anything. Later Noble Consort Rong escorted the Noble Consort back and has stayed until now…”
“Don’t worry, Your Highness, Aiwei was watching nearby. Noble Consort Rong wouldn’t dare speak nonsense.”
The eunuch went in to announce her arrival. Knowing Yaoying had returned, Noble Consort Rong didn’t want to appear weak but also didn’t dare stay longer, so she took her leave.
Seeing Yaoying approaching, she stopped and smiled.
“I heard the Princess went to Daci’en Temple to seek medical help for the Noble Consort. The Princess truly has a devoted filial heart.”
She sighed.
“The Noble Consort is so pitiful… Just now she asked me why the eldest young master doesn’t come to see her. I didn’t dare tell her that the eldest young master has been dead for eleven years…”
Yaoying’s lips curved slightly as she smiled, interrupting Noble Consort Rong’s crocodile tears: “I’m not only filial but also petty and hold grudges. I especially can’t stand seeing others bully my mother.”
The words were deeply meaningful.
Though her tone was gentle, it was full of cold warning.
Noble Consort Rong’s expression changed: “The Noble Consort was the one who pulled me to come…”
Yaoying smiled, her red lips gleaming with rich luster in the lamplight. In the hazy, rippling glow, her gorgeous face seemed to radiate a cold brilliance, like jade trees and precious flowers blooming to their fullest extent, with a dazzling clarity that made people unable to look directly at her.
Noble Consort Rong’s momentum instantly weakened several degrees as she shifted her gaze away guiltily.
Noble Consort Xie had pulled at her—she could have easily shaken free with a wave of her hand, but she hadn’t.
Her former high and mighty mistress had become a fool—how could she pass up the chance to watch such a show?
She enjoyed teasing Noble Consort Xie into the conversation, feeling very pleased when she saw the Noble Consort’s current state.
Yaoying said: “Since Noble Consort Rong knows I’m most filial, you should also know what should and shouldn’t be done.”
Noble Consort Rong’s face turned awkward as she left the inner hall.
Sitting in her palanquin, she grew increasingly angry and gave a cold snort.
“See how long you can stay proud! Everyone knows Empress Tang was killed by the Xie family! The Crown Prince remembers it all! Once he secures his position as heir, none of you three mother and children will die well!”
The nearest palace maid’s shoulders trembled, not daring to make a sound.
…
Li Zhongqian was an adult prince, so he deliberately avoided Noble Consort Rong, waiting until her palanquin was far away before entering Cuifang Palace.
People knelt all along the corridor.
Li Zhongqian’s brows furrowed slightly as he entered the inner chamber.
Li Yaoying supported Noble Consort Xie as she came out. “Mother, Brother has returned.”
Noble Consort Xie looked confused, staring at Li Zhongqian for a while before saying uncertainly: “He’s not Brother…”
Yaoying patiently said: “Mother, Second Brother Hunou has returned.”
Hunou was Li Zhongqian’s childhood name.
Li Zhongqian stepped forward and bowed to Noble Consort Xie: “Mother, your child has returned.”
Noble Consort Xie stared at him blankly, her face bewildered as she mumbled: “Where’s Brother? You’re not my brother. Why doesn’t Brother come to see me? Is he angry with me?”
“Brother, I was wrong…” she was on the verge of tears. “I won’t marry anymore, I’ll listen to you, please don’t be angry…”
Yaoying sighed and gestured for palace maids to come to help Noble Consort Xie to the inner chambers to rest.
Li Zhongqian stood up, watching Noble Consort Xie’s retreating figure with no expression on his face.
He had been sent to be raised by Xie Wuliang from a young age until he was nine when the entire Xie family met with tragedy.
Li De took him back to the Li family. By then Noble Consort Xie had already gone mad from the shock of her brother’s death and could no longer recognize him.
He and Yaoying depended on each other to survive, but he wasn’t particularly close to Noble Consort Xie.
Yaoying said softly: “Brother, Mother has been like this often lately, sometimes she doesn’t even recognize me.”
Li Zhongqian gave a mild “mm” and looked down at Yaoying: “When I wasn’t in the capital, did Noble Consort Rong bully you?”
She had a gentle temperament and rarely disliked someone this much.
Yaoying said: “Noble Consort Rong has evil intentions.”
In the book, it was Noble Consort Rong who had driven Noble Consort Xie to suicide. While Noble Consort Xie lived, everyone knew she had once been a maid of the Xie family. Noble Consort Rong wanted to cover up her background while currying favor with the Eastern Palace, so she would provoke Noble Consort Xie with words every day until she finally drove Noble Consort Xie to her death.
Li Zhongqian said: “I’ll go kill her.”
Yaoying was startled and shook her head: “Brother, don’t be rash. I’ve already sent people to investigate her. Let’s wait until we’ve gathered all the evidence.”
After all, Noble Consort Rong was Li De’s favored consort—she couldn’t be killed just like that.
Li Zhongqian made no response.
Afraid he might go and behead Noble Consort Rong, Yaoying told him about Mondadiva: “The Master will come tomorrow to check Mother’s pulse.”
Li Zhongqian nodded and raised his finger to lift Yaoying’s chin.
During the day her complexion had seemed fine, and she moved nimbly mounting and dismounting horses, just a bit thinner than before.
But now in the lamplight, her cheeks were as white as fresh snow, showing signs of weakness.
He said: “Since that Master’s medical skills are excellent, have him check your pulse too. Have you been taking your medicine regularly these days?”
Yaoying nodded, looking very proud: “I’m much healthier this year. I can run and jump—don’t worry, Brother.”
Li Zhongqian didn’t pursue the topic further.
A year ago, Yaoying had suddenly started coughing up blood for no apparent reason. She had the maids keep it secret from him.
By the time he found out, she had already fallen unconscious, unaware of anything.
Li Zhongqian stayed by her side, watching her being tormented between life and death, his heart feeling as if it was being cut by knives.
Three days later, when she regained consciousness and saw him, her wan little face immediately filled with joyful smiles: “Brother is still alive!”
At that moment, Li Zhongqian almost wept.