The chilly night wind beat against the palace lanterns hanging along the corridor, a crescent moon rose above the willow branches, its silvery light flowing like water.
Thinking of Zhu Lvyun's full-of-holes assassination plans, Li Xuanzhen felt a deep weariness welling up in his heart.
He rubbed his temples and asked, "Has she been recruiting Martial Assassins again?"
The eunuch shook his head and said, "Recently, Fukang Princess has been interacting closely with the Hu people who have come to the capital to pledge allegiance."
Everyone knew that the princess detested the Hu people.
Therefore, her association with them was highly suspicious.
The eunuch had obtained a piece of information from the princess's maid: when the princess was speaking with the Hu people, she mentioned a name—Yiqing Grand Princess.
The former dynasty's Yiqing Grand Princess—Zhu Lvyun's aunt—had been married off at the age of eighteen to an old chieftain of a Turkic tribe in the northwest as part of a political alliance.
A few years ago, the grand princess's attendant risked his life to escape back to the Central Plains with her blood-written letter, tearfully begging the last emperor to bring her back.
By that time, the last emperor had already met a tragic death at the hands of rebellious ministers, and the Guanzhong region was occupied by various military governors. No one paid any attention to the attendant.
The attendant eventually found his way to Zhu Lvyun and told her of the tragic fate of Yiqing Grand Princess.
It was only then that Zhu Lvyun learned about the barbaric and shocking custom among the Hu tribes: 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, Yiqing Grand Princess became the wife of the new chieftain.
When the new chieftain also died, she was married to his younger brother.
Not long after, the younger brother died in internal strife, and Yiqing Grand Princess was taken as a concubine by the old chieftain's grandson.
Within just ten years, Yiqing Grand Princess had been married to three generations of the same family.
For a grand princess of noble birth, what humiliation could be greater than this!
Zhu Lvyun deeply sympathized with this aunt she had never met and pleaded with Li De to send troops to bring Yiqing Grand Princess back.
Li De had refused at the time.
The eunuch voiced his speculation: "Your Highness, could it be that the princess intends to ally with the Hu people and then borrow troops from the Emperor to rescue Yiqing Grand Princess?"
Li Xuanzhen's lips curled in a faint, bitter smile.
A grand princess of the former dynasty—what kind of grand princess was she?
Li De always weighed the costs and returns before taking any action. He had enfeoffed Zhu Lvyun because keeping her was useful.
He would not sacrifice soldiers' lives for a worthless noblewoman of the former dynasty.
Now that the Central Plains had just stabilized, the northwestern tribes were powerful. The Northern Rong, who called themselves the Descendants of the Divine Wolf, boasted of having a Hundred Thousand Archers and had swept through the Northern Protectorate.
If not for the resistance from the high monk monarch of the Western Regions Buddhist Kingdom, the Northern Rong would have already taken the entire northern route of the Western Regions.
The Northern Rong cavalry was invincible. If they marched south, Chang'an would surely fall.
That was why Li De was using gold, silver, treasures, and high official positions to win over the Hu tribes while simultaneously eliminating the scattered smaller tribal forces in Guanzhong. He aimed to divide the Hu people from within, making them harbor mutual hatred and lose interest in invading the south. This would ease the pressure on the northwestern defense forces and allow him to keep track of each tribe's movements.
At such a time, Zhu Lvyun's schemes would never succeed.
Li Xuanzhen paused in his steps, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Prepare a horse. I am going to the princess's residence."
Yunniang was stubborn, single-mindedly focused on revenge, and when she went mad, she cared about nothing. He had to make the situation clear to her.
The eunuch said uneasily, "Your Highness, your lady has prepared a welcome banquet for you..."
If the Crown Prince went to find Fukang Princess on his first night back in the capital, how would the Crown Princess save face when word got out?
Li Xuanzhen had already turned and walked away. "Tell her not to wait for me."
The eunuch sighed silently and went into the courtyard to deliver the message.Bright candles illuminated the courtyard where a lavish feast was spread out with rare delicacies, fine wines, and exquisite dishes. Roasted beef and lamb sizzled over charcoal fires, glistening with oil, while a troupe of Kucha musicians waited in the corridor.
Zheng Biyu, the Crown Princess, dressed in magnificent attire, had been leading the women of the Crown Prince's Palace in waiting for an hour.
A eunuch reported that Li Xuanzhen had gone to the Princess's residence.
Zheng Biyu remained silent.
Several Consorts of Worthy Rank and Beauty Consorts immediately wiped the smiles from their faces, their expressions flashing with anger, jealousy, and disdain.
The Fukang Princess and the Crown Prince were deeply in love—they had no grounds to object.
Even the Crown Princess didn't take issue with it, so what right did these lesser consorts have to be jealous?
But the Fukang Princess simply refused to marry the Crown Prince, despite the Crown Princess's gentle persuasion. She wouldn't marry, no matter what.
If she didn't want to marry, so be it—they could only secretly rejoice.
Yet the Fukang Princess insisted on maintaining her ambiguous relationship with Li Xuanzhen.
Servants from the Princess's residence frequently visited the Crown Prince's Palace: the Princess was ill, the Princess was crying, the Princess was angry and refusing to eat, the Princess had been humiliated in an argument...
No official status, no clear boundaries.
She had become the subject of commoners' gossip.
"Madam, this cannot go on any longer!"
A Consort of Worthy Rank couldn't help but curse.
"The empire has long changed hands! His Majesty showed mercy by enfeoffing her as a princess, yet she has no sense of shame, tarnishing the Crown Prince's reputation like this. If this continues, what will become of us!"
The Consort had long held a grudge against Zhu Lvyun.
Either marry him or sever ties with the Crown Prince—she neither wanted to marry nor would she cut off her entanglement with him, debasing herself willingly!
The other lesser consorts also began chattering with complaints: "Madam, it's already spread throughout the capital. Some busybodies have even composed songs about it, causing an uproar in the streets. This damages the Crown Prince's reputation."
"His Majesty is benevolent, the Crown Prince is devoted, and Your Highness is so magnanimous—what more is she pretending for?"
"She still thinks she's a real princess! If she truly doesn't want to marry, she shouldn't come looking for the Crown Prince!"
Zheng Biyu's expression remained calm as she waved her hand.
The discussion ceased immediately.
Zheng Biyu glanced around, causing all the lesser consorts to lower their heads.
Maintaining her composure, she signaled to the attendants: "Since His Highness isn't returning, let's not waste this fine feast. Begin the banquet."
The musicians promptly struck up a cheerful melody.
Everyone seethed inwardly but reluctantly took their seats.
...
As Crown Prince Li Xuanzhen rode out of the palace, he happened to pass by the siblings Li Zhongqian and Li Yaoying riding side by side.
The palace complex stood deep and silent in the chilly night.
Li Zhongqian, worried that Yaoying might catch cold, took off his own cloak and draped it over her.
Yaoying played with a jade box in her hand, giggling: "Elder Brother, I'm not cold."
The siblings had just hidden a chest of treasures in the princely residence, and Li Zhongqian had given her this jade box—she was still delighting in its novelty.
Li Zhongqian said: "Wear it."
His voice was unusually gentle, sounding completely different from his usual self to Li Xuanzhen's ears.
Li Yaoying obediently put away the jade box and accepted the cloak.
After a moment, she lifted her arm, shaking the empty, oversized sleeve for Li Zhongqian to see, gesturing: "Elder Brother, look, I've really grown taller! When I wore your fur cloak before, the sleeves were so much longer..."
Li Zhongqian's low chuckle echoed in the flickering firelight.
Li Xuanzhen passed by them without changing expression.
Neither sibling glanced at him as they laughed and chatted, riding into the narrow gate passage.
Li Yaoying wore a veil hat, so Li Xuanzhen couldn't see her face clearly, but from the delicate, soft laughter behind him, he could easily imagine her expression.A mocking smile curled at the corners of his lips.
If Li Yaoying had witnessed Li Zhongqian’s ruthlessness on the battlefield—how he slaughtered city after city to secure victory, sparing not even young children—would she still dare to act so affectionately toward him?
The title “Little Tyrant” had not been bestowed upon Li Zhongqian without reason.
…
Consort Xie’s bedchamber was located in the northeastern corner of Taiji Palace, far removed from the other consorts.
The Emerald Fragrance Palace was usually quiet and seldom visited, but today, the hall was brightly lit, with a row of attendants gathered before the steps, flanking an ornate golden-canopied palanquin with soft curtains.
Yaoying dismounted and frowned at the eunuch who hurried to greet her. “Whose palanquin is that?”
The eunuch bowed and replied, “It belongs to Consort Rong.”
Yaoying’s expression darkened. “Who allowed Consort Rong into the hall?”
Consort Rong had once been a maid in the Xie household. In recent years, she had become the most favored consort, and after Li De ascended the throne, she was granted the title of Consort Rong.
The consorts in the other palaces, mostly daughters of noble families, looked down on her for her humble origins.
Consort Rong, aware of her lowly background, seized every opportunity to publicly humiliate Consort Xie, using her former mistress as a means to assert her authority.
Yaoying would naturally not stand by and allow Consort Rong to bully her mother.
After suffering several setbacks at Yaoying’s hands, Consort Rong no longer dared to act recklessly.
Yaoying quickened her pace.
Consort Xie was easily agitated. With Yaoying absent, who knew what Consort Rong might say to her?
The eunuch repeatedly apologized. “This afternoon, Her Highness woke and expressed a desire to see the peonies in the garden. Unexpectedly, Consort Rong was also there. Her Highness, having no memory of the past, engaged Consort Rong in conversation. We were anxious but feared alarming Her Highness, so we remained silent. Later, Consort Rong escorted Her Highness back and has remained here ever since…”
“Do not worry, Your Highness. Awei is keeping watch. Consort Rong would not dare to speak out of turn.”
The eunuch went inside to announce Yaoying’s arrival. Upon learning that Yaoying had returned, Consort Rong, not wishing to appear intimidated but also unwilling to linger, took her leave.
As she stepped out, she encountered Yaoying and paused, offering a faint smile.
“I heard the Princess went to Daci’en Temple to seek a physician for Her Highness? The Princess’s filial devotion is truly commendable.”
She sighed.
“How pitiable Her Highness is… Earlier, she asked me why the Eldest Young Master has not visited her. I dared not tell her that he has been dead for eleven years…”
A slight smile touched Yaoying’s lips as she interrupted Consort Rong’s hypocritical display. “I am not only filial but also narrow-minded and vindictive. I cannot bear to see anyone bully my mother.”
Her words carried a subtle warning.
Though softly spoken, they were laced with a cold, unyielding threat.
Consort Rong’s face paled. “Her Highness was the one who brought me here…”
Yaoying smiled, her crimson lips glowing richly under the lamplight. In the hazy radiance, her exquisite face seemed to emanate a cool, luminous elegance, like a jade tree in full bloom—so dazzlingly beautiful it was almost intimidating.
Consort Rong’s confidence wavered, and she averted her gaze guiltily.
Consort Xie had indeed taken her hand, but she could have easily pulled away. She had not.
How could she resist the opportunity to witness her once-proud former mistress reduced to such a state? She delighted in coaxing Consort Xie to speak, deriving immense satisfaction from seeing her as she was now.
Yaoying said, “Since Consort Rong knows of my filial devotion, she should also know what is and is not appropriate to do.”
Consort Rong’s expression turned sheepish as she exited the inner hall.
Once seated in her palanquin, she grew increasingly resentful, letting out a cold snort."How long do you think you can remain smug? Everyone knows Empress Tang was forced to death by the Xie family! The Crown Prince remembers it all! Once he solidifies his position as heir, you and your two children will meet a miserable end!"
The nearest palace maid trembled, not daring to utter a word.
...
Li Zhongqian, being an adult prince, deliberately avoided Consort Rong and waited until her palanquin had moved far away before entering Emerald Fragrance Palace.
The corridor was filled with kneeling servants.
Li Zhongqian frowned slightly and entered the inner chambers.
Li Yaoying supported Xie Guifei as she emerged. "Mother, Elder Brother has returned."
Xie Guifei looked confused, staring at Li Zhongqian for a moment before saying doubtfully, "He's not Elder Brother..."
Yaoying patiently explained, "Mother, it's Second Brother Hunu who has returned."
Hunu was Li Zhongqian's childhood name.
Li Zhongqian stepped forward and bowed to Xie Guifei. "Mother, your son has returned."
Xie Guifei stared blankly at him, her face full of confusion, murmuring, "Where's Elder Brother? You're not my elder brother. Why hasn't Elder Brother come to see me? Is he angry with me?"
"Elder Brother, I was wrong..." Her eyes welled with tears. "I won't marry anymore, I'll listen to you, please don't be angry with me..."
Yaoying sighed and signaled for the palace maids to help Xie Guifei to the inner chamber to rest.
Li Zhongqian stood up, watching Xie Guifei's retreating figure with an expressionless face.
He had been sent to Xie Wuliang for upbringing since childhood and remained there until he was nine, when the entire Xie family died heroically.
Li De brought him back to the Li family, but by then Xie Guifei had already lost her mind due to the shock of her brother's death and could no longer recognize him.
He and Yaoying depended on each other for survival, but he wasn't particularly close to Xie Guifei.
Yaoying said softly, "Elder Brother, Mother has been like this frequently lately. Sometimes she doesn't even recognize me."
Li Zhongqian responded indifferently and looked down at Yaoying. "While I was away from the capital, did Consort Rong bully you?"
She had an easygoing temperament and rarely disliked someone so intensely.
Yaoying said, "Consort Rong has evil intentions."
In the book, the person who drove Xie Guifei to suicide was precisely Consort Rong. While Xie Guifei was alive, everyone knew she had once been a maid in the Xie family. Consort Rong wanted to conceal her own origins while currying favor with the Crown Prince's Palace, so she verbally provoked Xie Guifei daily, ultimately driving her to death.
Li Zhongqian said, "I'll go kill her."
Yaoying was startled and shook her head. "Elder Brother, don't be impulsive. I've already sent people to investigate her. Let's wait until we've gathered enough evidence."
After all, Consort Rong was Li De's favored consort and couldn't be killed so casually.
Li Zhongqian didn't comment.
Worried that he might actually go and behead Consort Rong, Yaoying changed the subject to Mengda Ti Po: "The Dharma Master will come tomorrow to check Mother's pulse."
Li Zhongqian nodded, lifting Yaoying's chin with his finger.
During the day, her complexion had looked fine, and her movements mounting and dismounting horses were agile, though she had grown thinner.
Under the lamplight at night, her cheeks were as pale as fresh snow, showing clear signs of frailty.
He said, "Since this Dharma Master is highly skilled in medicine, have him check your pulse as well. Have you been taking your medicine regularly these days?"
Yaoying nodded, looking quite proud. "I've been much healthier this year, able to run and jump. Don't worry, Elder Brother."
Li Zhongqian didn't press further.
A year ago, Yaoying had suddenly vomited blood for no apparent reason and told her maids to keep it from him.
By the time he found out, she had already fallen unconscious, unaware of her surroundings.
Li Zhongqian had stayed by her side, watching her suffer torment after torment, his heart feeling as if cut by knives.Three days later, when she regained consciousness and saw him, her pale little face immediately lit up with a joyful smile: "Brother is still alive!"
At that moment, Li Zhongqian nearly wept.
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