"Gaochang?" Wei Shufen was taken aback.
"Indeed. Gaochang serves as the strategic gateway from the Central Plains into the Western Regions. While our Celestial troops are campaigning against Tuyuhun, His Majesty has been in discussions with King Qu Wentai of Gaochang, originally intending for them to coordinate military efforts for a pincer attack. There was even consideration of a marriage alliance to send a princess. Hmph! Wishful thinking! Those barbarian states thousands of miles away know nothing of propriety or righteousness—they're driven solely by profit, with human faces but beastly hearts. How could they be trusted! While our envoys were still negotiating the marriage, Gaochang sent a new delegation announcing their Crown Prince Qu Zhisheng had already married the daughter of a Turkic khan in the Western Regions. Ridiculous! All the efforts of our Ministry of Rites were in vain!"
Hearing this news, Wei Shufen first felt a wave of relief. Recently, Crown Prince Li Chengqian had proposed sending both the Seventeenth Princess and Chai Yingluo to Gaochang for marriage alliances. At least that proposal could now be abandoned.
"Then... what does His Majesty intend by sending Prince Wu to Gaochang?" she asked, her heart uneasy.
Her father looked up at her, expressionless:
"The new envoy from Gaochang stated that if the Tang must have a marriage alliance, King Qu Wentai has another daughter—born to the queen, now of marriageable age, and said to be exceptionally beautiful. Qu Wentai dotes on his only daughter and cannot bear to part with her, so he wishes to take a son-in-law who would serve as an official and reside in Gaochang. Hearing that the Heavenly Khan has many younger brothers and sons of concubines, they could select one of talent and appearance to go propose marriage. If Qu Wentai and his wife find him suitable..."
"His Majesty wants Prince Wu to seek marriage with the Princess of Gaochang?" Wei Shufen exclaimed involuntarily.
"Not explicitly stated, but the suggestion has been made," Wei Zheng said grimly. "For Prince Wu himself, this is no misfortune. Having committed six of the Ten Abominations, his crimes are inexcusable. By law and principle, even if not publicly executed, he should be ordered to commit suicide at home. This proposal is equivalent to exile three thousand miles away—yet without revoking his noble title or removing him from the imperial clan register. He could retain his princely title and lineage while marrying a foreign princess as consort. Truly, he's getting off lightly."
Indeed, it was a great reprieve... Li Yuangui himself... would probably be willing.
Wei Shufen lowered her head, her lashes fluttering shut as she silently admonished herself: This is good, this is proper. His life, dignity, and reputation are all preserved. You should be content and happy for him. Don't... don't foolishly wish for anything more.
What more could she foolishly wish for? Today she had undergone the betrothal ceremony—the entire court and capital knew she, Wei Yi Niang, was now the second wife of General Cheng, Duke of Su. They only awaited selection of an auspicious date for the wedding. Once she crossed that threshold and fulfilled her marital duties, she would become little more than a walking corpse lingering on without purpose, waiting only for the day she could depart without attachments... A thousand miles away, he would no longer see her or hear news of her. He could focus wholeheartedly on his own life. Wasn't that for the best?
Moreover, the Western Regions and vast deserts were precisely where men of the Li family dreamed of achieving glory. Li Yuangui had studied literature and martial arts since childhood, trained diligently in archery and horsemanship, and pored over military strategy—all his life yearning to lead troops and win fame on the battlefield. Wasn't this the perfect opportunity? True, he would be going to propose marriage to a princess, to become Gaochang's royal consort. Initially, he might not quickly gain his father-in-law's trust to participate in military and political affairs. But as imperial kin by marriage, with his own talents, he wouldn't remain obscure for long. What court in this world doesn rely on its own relatives?That Princess Gaochang was said to be beautiful, so taking her as his principal wife wouldn’t leave him resentful... Unlike the Turks, Tiele, Tuyuhun, or Tibetans, Gaochang was originally founded by descendants of the Han and Wei dynasties. It was said that most of its nobles were of Chinese descent, sharing similar customs, language, and script with the Central Plains. The queen herself was a princess sent from the Central Plains for a political marriage, so her daughter would naturally resemble a Chinese noblewoman in appearance and upbringing, likely to be harmonious with her husband, following his lead...
Moreover, he was born into the Li-Tang imperial family, carrying the prestige of the Heavenly Khan. It was widely said that the Western Regions would be the next military focus for the Tang army. As a vanguard envoy, Li Yuangui’s potential contributions and achievements would be boundless, his future limitless... What a flawless arrangement this was.
"The Son of Heaven’s grace runs deep, benefiting all," Wei Shufen said with a slight choke in her voice. "If this is the arrangement, nothing could be more proper. I beg you, Father, to facilitate this proposal. Your unfilial daughter asks for nothing else."
"Proper? What’s proper about it!" Wei Zheng smacked a pillar in irritation. "This proposal must not proceed! Even if a prince must be sent for marriage alliance, Prince Wu cannot be the one!"
"Father?" Wei Shufen stared at him in shock.
"Do you think I don’t know His Majesty’s thoughts?" the Tang chancellor scoffed. "That old Guanlong habit of his—always thinking of war, war, and more war! Never mind how devastated the people are after years of chaos! Household registries show barely a tenth remain, fertile lands stretch barren for miles, yet instead of focusing on recovery and resettling the people, the court keeps conscripting labor and launching campaigns, expanding borders at the cost of lives!"
Wei Shufen had heard her father’s arguments many times since childhood and had always agreed. But this time, she felt compelled to defend the Li brothers:
"Even so, if we don’t strike first, the mounted border patrols will raid south come autumn, killing, burning, and taking slaves. Wouldn’t the border people suffer just the same?"
"Hmph! Five years ago, when we fought the Turks, I conceded this point. Against Tuyuhun, I didn’t oppose outright—after all, both nations frequently raided our borders! But Gaochang? It’s beyond the horizon, separated by a thousand miles of desert where even birds struggle to cross. They’ve never sent a single soldier to harm our people—why attack them? A marriage alliance would be ideal! Whether the Li family sends a princess or prince, forging ties would bring peace, trade, and stability—isn’t that better than anything else? But no, they insist on sending Prince Wu! That Fourteenth Young Master—do you think he’d stay out of trouble?"
Only then did Wei Shufen grasp her father’s concern: he feared Li Yuangui’s restless nature might provoke war with Gaochang. The worry... well, it wasn’t entirely unfounded. Fourteenth Young Master Li wasn’t exactly wronged by the accusation."You may be overthinking this, Father," she struggled to find words to persuade him. "The court is still at war with Tuyuhun, and wasn't it said last time that the situation is unfavorable? Many Qiang and Hu tribes on the front lines have betrayed the court to join Tuyuhun in resisting the Celestial troops. The Qinghai campaign is already in such a mess and making no progress—how could there be any immediate discussion about attacking Gaochang? His Majesty is sending Prince Wu to Gaochang for marriage alliance precisely to temporarily stabilize the northern front and establish friendly relations. Prince Wu is going there to be... a dutiful son-in-law. The court simply can't spare any resources now—no troops, no generals. How would Prince Wu dare to provoke and start a war on his own? By the time the Tuyuhun campaign ends, who knows what the situation will be? Perhaps the entire court will have given up on further campaigns. Prince Wu is a smart man; he'll just... obediently remain in Gaochang as a consort for the rest of his life..."
"What does a young girl like you know about military and state affairs?" Wei Zheng frowned, scolding his daughter. "These are childish words, a woman's shallow views! These matters aren't for you to inquire about or consider. You should focus your mind on finishing your needlework and dowry, waiting for the Cheng family to choose an auspicious date for the wedding! Once married, tend to your husband and raise children! No more talk of Prince Wu or marriage alliances!"
The Prime Minister clearly knew about her previous mischief with Li Yuangui and Chai Yingluo—at least the general outline—and seemed to have guessed his daughter's feelings for Li Yuangui. He didn't confront her directly, either to save his eldest daughter's dignity or perhaps due to his wife's persuasion. But his underlying message was clear: she must sever these improper affections, uphold propriety and virtue, and avoid any further scandal.
After a few more admonishments, Wei Zheng stood and left, never agreeing to spare Li Yuangui's life. Wei Shufen sat under the corridor, heart heavy with frustration, thinking things through. She pushed herself up from the ground and turned sharply toward the stables in the western courtyard.
"First Young Mistress!" her serving girl called after her, trotting to catch up. "Where are you going?"
"Nowhere, just getting some air!" Wei Shufen replied, quickening her steps toward the gate. She needed to escape on horseback to find Chai Yingluo before her parents thought to confine her.
As far as she knew, sending Li Yuangui to Gaochang for a "marriage alliance" was the only way to save his life. Since her father refused to intercede, she had no choice but to take the familiar path—pleading with Chai Yingluo to make it happen.
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