Taiji Palace, Liangyi Hall.
In the short span of several decades, the capital had changed hands multiple times. The palace halls and pavilions, long neglected and repeatedly ravaged by fire, had lost their former grandeur and splendor. The palace walls were mottled, and traces of scorching could be seen everywhere between the pillars and corridors.
Li Xuanzhen followed the young eunuch, slowly ascending the long steps.
The early morning sunlight filtered through thin clouds, spilling across the empty corridors and palace platforms. The vermilion bracket sets, painted flying eaves, and turquoise glazed tiles shimmered with fragmented radiance.
Li De was in the inner hall, engaged in confidential discussions with high-ranking officials from the Hall of State Affairs.
As the emperor and his ministers deliberated, the palace attendants had withdrawn to the outer hall corridors. Dozens of them stood by the window frames for a long time, not a single cough to be heard.
Li Xuanzhen waited for a while before heavy footsteps echoed from the inner hall.
Before anyone appeared, Du Du Pei's booming voice emerged first: "His Majesty risked attacking the Arun tribe to intimidate the other nine tribes with military force, not to send a princess for marriage alliance! If she wants to marry, let her marry! The farther she goes, the better! Three thousand Wei soldiers lie buried in icy rivers to gain this negotiation opportunity with those barbarians, and she has ruined it all!"
Several elderly, gentle voices interrupted Du Du Pei's complaints, quietly urging him to remain calm.
Subsequently, several elderly officials in purple court robes emerged, each with a grave expression.
At the forefront was Prime Minister Zheng Yu.
He spotted Li Xuanzhen's dark-circled eyes at first glance, sighed, stopped walking, and gestured for the others to proceed first.
Du Du Pei stepped across the threshold while cursing under his breath. His peripheral vision caught Li Xuanzhen's haggard appearance and wrinkled clothing, realizing he had been detained overnight because of Zhu Lvyun. He opened his mouth.
"Eldest Young Master, you—"
Just as he was about to unleash a tirade, others guessed his intention and immediately grabbed his arm, pulling him away.
Prime Minister Zheng stood at the corridor's edge, waiting until Du Du Pei and his group had departed. He glanced at Li Xuanzhen with a gentle yet profound look in his eyes.
"Your Highness, Fukang Princess is willful and capricious. You are the Crown Prince and should no longer associate with her."
His tone was calm, as if making casual conversation, yet it carried the solemn authority tempered by years of experience.
Li Xuanzhen remained silent.
Prime Minister Zheng shook his head with a faint, ambiguous smile and leisurely descended the steps.
A palace attendant invited Li Xuanzhen to enter the hall.
Brilliant sunlight streamed through the half-open azure lattice windows into the inner hall, casting half-lit shadows across the lightly draped brocade curtains. A gilded incense burner shaped like a mythical beast crouched before the Dragon Throne Desk, emitting clouds of smoke that filled the air with the faint fragrance of green silk tulips.
Li Xuanzhen entered the hall and approached the Dragon Throne Desk.
The desk was piled mountain-high with documents and memorials. Vermilion brushes, inkstones, brush rests, paperweights, and water containers were haphazardly crammed into corners, while document boxes were strewn about in disarray.
Li De held a scroll of reports, reading intently.
The minister's handwriting was delicate and neat, the characters so small that he had to narrow his phoenix eyes and lean closer to see clearly, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes densely packed.
A beam of light slanted across his weather-beaten face, the black Soft Headwear wrapping around temples as white as freshly fallen snow.
At first glance, the founding emperor of Great Wei appeared like an ordinary elderly man—gentle, kind, and advanced in years.
When he finished reading the report and slowly lifted his gaze, for just an instant, all the shimmering light floating in the inner hall seemed to converge upon him.
He sat there, quietly watching Li Xuanzhen without uttering a word. His dark, bottomless phoenix eyes held a surging brilliance that made one dare not look directly at him.
Gazing at his father, Li Xuanzhen couldn't help but recall the stories his late mother often used to recount.Li De was the illegitimate son of the Li family, born to a maidservant mother, and endured a difficult childhood. However, he possessed an exceptionally handsome face, with features as exquisite as a painting, exuding an air of effortless charm and grace.
There was a saying among the people of the time: "The young master of the Li family in Wei Commandery is peerless in the world."
At the age of twenty-four, Li De accompanied his clan elders to a banquet. Though he wore a simple, unadorned white robe—which would have looked plain and shabby on others—on him, it appeared as elegant as jade trees in a forest, radiating clarity and refinement.
The eldest daughter of the Tang family happened to be at the banquet. With just one glance at Li De, she found herself unable to look away.
Years later, when Li De suffered a crushing defeat in battle and sought help at the doorstep of the Xie family, he rode across the plank bridge beneath Jingnan City. Clad in a slightly worn, plain robe, gaunt and haggard, he still managed to capture the heart of the Xie family's legitimate daughter at first sight.
Both Li Xuanzhen and Li Zhongqian inherited Li De's phoenix eyes, but in terms of charisma, neither could compare to Li De in his youth.
Li De's cousin once remarked that both nephews bore some resemblance to Li De in their eyes and brows. However, Li Xuanzhen was restrained and gloomy, lacking Li De's bold, self-assured spirit, while Li Zhongqian was temperamental and ruthless in his actions, devoid of Li De's gentle composure beneath his bold exterior.
She also said that among the Li family's children, only Li Yaoying did not have phoenix eyes. She was the least like a member of the Li family, yet her unparalleled beauty most closely resembled the captivating charm that Li De possessed in his youth.
In his prime, Li De was admired by countless noble ladies.
Time flew like a bird or a hare, and nearly two decades passed. The years had left traces of hardship on his face, yet they did not diminish his looks in the slightest. Instead, they polished him into a gentler and more refined version of himself.
He was born with a face that made it impossible to hate him, yet he was the most detached and unfeeling of all.
Father and son locked eyes for a moment.
Li De asked, "Have you come to your senses?"
Li Xuanzhen countered with a question instead of answering: "Has His Majesty already issued the decree for the marriage?"
A flicker of disappointment passed through Li De's eyes. He lowered his head and unrolled another scroll. "I cannot break my promise to the world. Since Zhu Lvyun is determined to marry, I shall grant her wish."
Li Xuanzhen clenched his fists. "What if I refuse?"
Without looking up, Li De said, "Zhangnu, this matter concerns state affairs. Do not be willful."
Li Xuanzhen replied, "It is a matter of state, but also a matter of family."
Li De raised his head, his phoenix eyes deep and his gaze tinged with reproach. "State affairs, family matters, the affairs of the world—which are weighty, and which are trivial? Is a mere woman worth this much to you?"
Li Xuanzhen fell silent for a moment, a sarcastic smile creeping onto his face.
"A mere woman," he repeated, each word dripping with bitterness.
Li De averted his gaze.
Years ago, when Li De honored his commitment to marry Xie Manyuan, Tang Ying suddenly appeared and caused a scene at the wedding banquet.
Clad in military attire, Li De glanced at Tang Ying, whose face was filled with resolve, then at the loyal subordinates gathered in the courtyard, and hesitated.
His strategist appeared beside him and whispered, "General, the alliance between the Li and Xie families is already sealed."
Li De closed his eyes, recalling the tens of thousands of Wei soldiers who had died in battle due to his recklessness, his cousin who had been brutally killed while protecting his escape, and the famished, sallow-faced soldiers contrasted with the Xie family's overflowing granaries.
"A mere woman," he murmured, then turned and took Xie Manyuan's hand.
In his youth, Li De had been conceited, believing he could handle domestic disputes with ease.
Long ago, Emperor Xuan of Han, Liu Xun, cherished his first love deeply but offended Huo Guang, leading to the tragic death of his wife, Xu Pingjun. Though Liu Xun later secured his throne and avenged Xu Pingjun, he could never bring back the wife who had shared his hardships.
Li De was confident he would not become another Liu Xun.Tang Ying could never become a second Xu Pingjun.
He could strengthen his power by relying on noble families while protecting his wife and son, gradually weakening those families. By the time he ascended the throne, the empress would undoubtedly be Tang Ying.
"A man should aspire to be the Capital Commandant and marry a woman like Yin Lihua."
Yin Lihua waited seventeen years before becoming the empress who modeled maternal virtue for the nation.
But Tang Ying never lived to see Li De ascend the throne—she perished in the flames.
She left a final letter, each character sharp and penetrating: "My lord above, your humble wife bows thrice. Today I sever ties with you, wishing that through all lifetimes, across all realms, we never meet again!"
Before the animal-headed incense burner, blue smoke curled, its fragrance delicate.
Li De slowly unrolled a memorial, a bitter smile touching his lips.
The heart-wrenching agony he felt upon reading her final letter surged in his heart once more.
He should have known—Tang Ying was too strong-willed to be like Yin Lihua, who understood propriety and endured alongside him for over a decade.
When she discovered he had married Lady Xie, she had long wanted to leave. The only reason she endured the humiliation and stayed was for Li Xuanzhen.
And it was also for Li Xuanzhen that she set herself ablaze, killing both herself and the child in her womb.
Mother and child—two lives lost in one death.
Li De lost himself in thought for a moment. "Zhangnu, state affairs come first. You are the Crown Prince of this nation—remember your position."
Li Xuanzhen remained unmoved, sneering, "Your Majesty, you adopted Yunniang, indulged her, used her. That she ruined your grand plan is the consequence of your own actions."
Li De smiled. Though his hair was silver, his charm remained when he smiled. "I never made things difficult for her. Whatever she wanted, I gave. Now she wishes to marry into the Yelu Tribe, and I have agreed."
Li Xuanzhen's expression remained calm.
It was indeed Zhu Lvyun who caused this trouble—the fault lay with her.
He too was at fault. He had thought Zhu Lvyun was merely jealous recently and let his guard down, never expecting she would collude with the Hu people.
The only course now was as the Crown Princess had said: since stopping the marriage alliance was impossible, they must find a way to protect Zhu Lvyun.
Having sorted his thoughts, Li Xuanzhen said, "Your Majesty, have you never wondered why the Yelu Tribe insists on marrying Yunniang?"
Li De's expression darkened slightly.
Li Xuanzhen continued, "Your Majesty won over the Yelu Chieftain with gold and treasures, prompting him to bring his sons to the capital to offer congratulations. Yet now the Chieftain deliberately opposes you to marry Yunniang, inciting other tribes and pressuring the court. What does Yunniang possess that makes the Yelu Tribe take such great risks?"
Li De remained silent, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes.
Li Xuanzhen knew his objective had been achieved.
"Allowing Yunniang to marry into the Yelu Tribe carries too great a risk. If she allies with them to attack Chang'an, can the city hold? Or if the Yelu Tribe recruits troops under the banner of the Zhu family's imperial son-in-law, how would Your Majesty respond?"
Li De frowned.
Li Xuanzhen said gravely, "Before understanding the Yelu Chieftain's motives, Your Majesty would be wise to choose another candidate for the marriage alliance. As for Yunniang, she has indeed acted without regard for consequences. I will discipline her properly and ensure she never appears before Your Majesty again."
After a moment's contemplation, Li De waved his hand, dismissing Li Xuanzhen.
Leaving the Liangyi Hall, Li Xuanzhen immediately went to the princess residence to see the confined Zhu Lvyun.
The Chief Steward had been waiting outside the palace gate for a long time and hurried forward.
Before he could speak, Li Xuanzhen whipped his horse and galloped away in a cloud of dust.
The Chief Steward heaved a deep, melancholy sigh.
...The princess's residence was heavily guarded, with layers of Golden Guard soldiers stationed both inside and out. Even the inner courtyards were patrolled by sentinels everywhere.
As Li Xuanzhen walked inward, he carefully observed his surroundings, completely abandoning the idea of abducting Zhu Lvyun and secretly sending her away.
The guard posts were too densely arranged.
Zhu Lvyun, her hair disheveled, had sat hugging her knees all night, crying until both her eyes were swollen.
Li Xuanzhen strode into the inner chamber, grabbed Zhu Lvyun's hand, and pulled her to her feet, demanding sharply, "Who put you up to this?"
Zhu Lvyun staggered, raised her face, and smiled through tears: "No one put me up to it! I want to go marry into the alliance! I no longer want to be entangled with you! I will marry far away, to find my aunt—she is my only family left in this world. From now on, you can be free of me. I wish you and the Crown Princess a lifetime of love and companionship."
Li Xuanzhen helplessly released her hand and rubbed his temples: "Yunniang, tell me honestly—what did you exchange with the Yelu Tribe? Why would they want to marry you?"
Without someone acting as a matchmaker, how could she possibly have come to know anyone from the Yelu Tribe?
Li Xuanzhen did not know what the Yelu Tribe’s intentions were, but he was certain of one thing: Zhu Lvyun was being used again.
All these years, she had been a pawn in Li De’s hands. Now, wanting to escape her fate as a pawn, she had instead thrown herself into another trap.
He had to stop her. With her temperament, how much suffering would she endure without his protection?
Zhu Lvyun wiped the corner of her eye: "My affairs are none of your business!"
A vein throbbed at Li Xuanzhen’s temple: "Do you really intend to marry into a tribal clan on the grasslands? Do you know the Chieftain of the Yelu Tribe is over sixty years old! They are barbarians, with savage customs—when the father dies, the son inherits everything. Except for their own mothers, all other women become the new chieftain’s concubines! They follow the water and grass, never settling in one place. When the grass is lush, they barely have enough to eat. When food is scarce, they herd their horses into the Central Plains, plundering the common people. Do you know how their women live? What they eat? What they wear?"
He had never lost his temper in front of Zhu Lvyun before. Under his relentless questioning, she was left speechless. In a fit of pique, she twisted away and threw herself down before the bed, covering her face as she sobbed.
Between sobs, she stammered: "None of your business, none of your business! From now on, I, Zhu Lvyun, sever all ties with your Li family! Whether I live or die, it has nothing to do with you!"
Li Xuanzhen looked at Zhu Lvyun, and a deep weariness washed over him.
He thought of her mother, that poor woman, clutching him desperately, her burned face full of pleading.
"If I don’t take care of you, who will?"
Li Xuanzhen sighed and turned to leave.
The Chief Clerk caught up to him, panting, at the princess’s residence. "Your Highness, what did His Majesty say?"
Li Xuanzhen mounted his horse, his face stern: "His Majesty suspects the Yelu Tribe. He will agree to a substitution."
The Chief Clerk let out a long sigh of relief.
With the Emperor’s tacit approval, the next challenge was the Yelu Tribe.
Who could be substituted for the marriage alliance to win over the Yelu Chieftain?
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