This was perhaps the most shameless and improper statement she had ever made in her life. If her father had been present to hear it, he would have been furious. But she believed Chai Yingluo would understand, and there was no need to hide anything.
Yet this wish of hers remained unfulfilled to this day.
Chai Yingluo had made every effort, but the news she gathered was that Prince Wu Yuan-gui had been ordered confined in a duty room atop the Black Tortoise Gate tower, personally guarded by General Cheng, with no one permitted to visit, deliver messages, or pass along any items. The general handled military affairs in the adjacent room and made a final inspection each evening before leaving. Under such strict surveillance, it was impossible to secretly arrange a meeting.
After much negotiation, the two women settled for the next best option—disguising themselves in men’s clothing to secretly visit Yang Xinzhi.
Yang Xinzhi was detained at the Northern Military Camp, located close to the Purple Void Monastery, with frequent interactions between the two places. Familiarity made things easier, and though Yang also bore the label of an "Imperial prisoner," his offense was far less severe than Li Yuangui’s, so the supervision was not as strict. Dressed as men and carrying supplies, the two daughters of the Chai and Wei families claimed to be sent by the Purple Void Monastery and managed to slip into Yang Xinzhi’s tent without much difficulty.
Their reunion was bittersweet. Yang Xinzhi was neither shackled nor caged, living alone in a small tent with daily deliveries of food, paper, and writing tools. Aside from being forbidden to leave or converse with others, his days were relatively comfortable. Having just begun his official career as a guard at the Northern Military Camp, manning watchtowers and gates, he was well-liked by his comrades and spared from deliberate mistreatment.
Their visit was brief. After exchanging greetings, Yang Xinzhi seized the moment to relay a message Li Yuangui had shouted to him while being escorted away after their capture outside the Purple Void Monastery:
"The Pei siblings from the Wei River estate entrusted me with a matter—Sixth Brother’s marriage. Find a way to inform Prince Zhao. I can’t do it myself..."
His inability likely referred to avoiding mention in his confession, lest it further implicate Sixth Brother Yuanjing and the Pei siblings in the Great Peace Palace incident. Yang Xinzhi, being less involved, was a safer choice to handle this, but he too was confined to the camp and barred from contact, leaving him no suitable way to pass on the message until now.
"Fourteenth Uncle is still too pure-hearted," Chai Yingluo sighed. "Has he not considered who tipped off General Cheng, leading directly to your capture at the Purple Void Monastery? Yet he still wants to help the Pei siblings..."
"A true man distinguishes gratitude from grievance," Yang Xinzhi replied with a smile. "Lord Pei did show us kindness, and Fourteenth Young Master gave his word to help. A promise is a promise—that’s the mark of a man. As for whether Lord Pei revealed our whereabouts to General Cheng, there’s no need to dwell on it. His family has its own difficulties; it’s unfair to drag them down with us."
Even after imprisonment had visibly thinned him, he remained the same Yang Dalang who had always been perceptive and considerate since childhood... Wei Shufen felt a surge of emotion and confided in him about her promise to marry Cheng Yaojin. Yang Xinzhi’s expression darkened upon hearing this."Wei Niangzi's intentions, Xinzhi understands, but if Fourteenth Young Master were to find out about this... Alas, his temperament is something you all know well. Raised deep within the palace with little exposure to the outside world, he has never been adept at worldly affairs. It's rare for him to be moved by emotions, but once he is, his stubbornness knows no bounds—unyielding even unto death. Wei Niangzi, you... should think twice before acting."
The implication was clear: he did not approve of Wei Shufen's agreement to the marriage. Yet, when it came to offering a solution to salvage the situation, he was at a loss. Yang Xinzhi had always devoted his energy to feasting, revelry, and socializing, never excelling in strategizing or deliberation. Pressing him further would be futile.
Among the four of them, when it came to devising unscrupulous schemes, Chai Yingluo was unanimously considered the best, with Li Yuangui trailing behind. After the two daughters of the Chai and Wei families left the military camp, Wei Shufen asked her what their next step should be. Chai Yingluo replied:
"I will request an audience with the Empress to report the matter concerning Prince Zhao's consort and, if possible, put in a good word for Fourteenth Uncle."
Indeed, rather than approaching Prince Zhao Yuan-jing and having him intervene with the Palace Service Department, Great Peace Palace, or the Ministry of Rites and Imperial Clan to arrange a marriage, it would be better to bring the matter directly before Empress Zhangsun. Once the Empress gave her decree, it would be settled. Moreover, considering the current circumstances of the Pei family, Li Yuanjing himself might not be particularly enthusiastic about the betrothal arranged in his childhood. If he caused further complications, the matter would drag on endlessly.
"In that case, I'll go with you to the Hall of Established Governance," Wei Shufen mustered her courage and spoke up. Since the day Li Yuangui proposed and she openly defied Empress Zhangsun's will, she had not dared to face the Empress again. But now, having reconciled with her family as instructed and agreed to the Cheng family's marriage proposal in accordance with her parents' wishes, she should have nothing to fear if questioned...
If facilitating the marriage between the Pei family and Prince Zhao was Li Yuangui's last wish before his imprisonment, she dearly hoped to lend a hand—even if it meant merely standing by and witnessing its fulfillment. After a moment's thought, Chai Yingluo said, "Very well," and led her as they turned their horses eastward toward the Western Inner Garden.
As they approached the Black Tortoise Gate, Wei Shufen gazed up at the towering battlements atop the gatehouse, her heart stirring as she wondered where behind those walls Fourteenth Young Master was being held. Suddenly, Chai Yingluo lowered her voice beside her:
"A Fen, there's something crucial I must tell you."
"Please go ahead, Sister Ying," Wei Shufen turned to her in surprise.
"The person in the Temple of Compassionate Harmony," Chai Yingluo paused, "that person, her situation, and all related matters must never be mentioned in the Hall of Established Governance. If anyone questions you about the investigation, just direct them to me."
She was referring to Consort Yang, Princess of Hailing, who now resided in the temple. Wei Shufen and Chai Yingluo had previously located her, only to discover that after nine years of widowhood in the forbidden garden, she was pregnant—a matter shrouded in secrecy. Wei Shufen knew the gravity of the situation and agreed, but couldn't resist whispering:
"Have you still not uncovered the truth behind her condition, Sister Ying?"Upon discovering Consort Yang, Chai Yingluo abandoned her usual decisive demeanor. Instead of pressing her fourth aunt for answers, she quickly withdrew from the nunnery with Wei Shufen. When Wei Shufen questioned her several times afterward, Chai Yingluo vaguely replied, "I'm investigating in secret," brushing her off. This time was no different—the female Taoist merely shook her head on horseback, muttering, "Such matters aren't easily clarified," before dropping the subject.
The two women dismounted to present their credentials, passing through the Black Tortoise Gate and the Gate of Double Mystery. Amidst the mid-spring scenery, they strolled along the willow-shaded shores of the lake, winding their way south toward the Hall of Established Governance. Before reaching the northern gate of Ganlu Hall, they suddenly spotted a bustling crowd ahead—fluttering banners, erected canopies by the lakeside, and a large entourage of eunuchs and palace maids, accompanied by the laughter of women and children carried on the breeze.
"Which family... or palace lady has come out for a spring outing?" Wei Shufen was familiar with such scenes, though within the inner palace, it couldn't possibly be the ladies of court officials at leisure. Chai Yingluo shot her an amused glance:
"With such grand pomp and open display, which palace lady could it possibly be?"
With that, she strode forward and announced to the attending palace maids at the periphery, "This humble Taoist, Shangzhen, accompanied by the daughter of Imperial Secretary Wei Zheng, requests an audience with the Empress."
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