"You don't understand," the Empress sighed. "Master Sun was originally practicing medicine in the Hu County and Zhouzhi area, preparing medicinal herbs and gathering apprentices to eradicate the seasonal plagues raging there during spring and summer. In spring, when the Supreme Emperor's condition became critical, I sent Yingniang to forcibly summon her master to the Great Peace Palace, which already delayed much work. It's said dozens have died in those counties. After matters at Great Peace Palace concluded, Master Sun intended to return and continue fighting the epidemic, but then I had him brought to the Hall of Established Governance. Alas, who knows how many more lives will be lost because of this? As a woman whose life brings no benefit to this era, how could I commit such an unmerciful evil? Upon hearing Master Sun explain the situation, I made the decision to release him from the palace and let him return to South Mountain. When the Emperor returned, he was quite displeased. Eventually, he ordered Yingniang to take her master's place, attending to me personally during mourning, fearing something might happen to me. Though it was the Emperor's kind intention and Yingniang herself was willing, she is after all still a young maiden. Recently she's been constantly busy with one thing after another, and now... she's collapsed from exhaustion..."
So Chai Yingluo had been sent by imperial decree to observe mourning, primarily to care for the Empress's ailing health... Li Yuangui glanced briefly at the Empress's face, not daring to look too long, but could understand the Emperor and his son's concerns. The Empress's complexion was indeed poor, with palace maids constantly supporting her arms. Even after sitting on the bed, she still appeared weak.
The Seventeenth Princess supported the Empress's other arm, silently sitting on the edge of the bed with her legs dangling, her face also showing worry as she gazed at her second sister-in-law, clearly concerned for her health. Seeing this, Li Yuangui felt somewhat comforted—it was evident the Empress treated his seventeenth sister kindly for the young girl to react this way.
Empress Zhangsun spoke with Li Yuangui for a while longer, mainly advising him to be careful on the road to Gaochang and to act according to circumstances to protect himself in the vassal state. After that day's court discussion, the relevant authorities had officially issued an edict appointing Prince Wu Yuan-gui as envoy to Gaochang. As the Supreme Emperor's mourning period had not yet passed, it was inappropriate to mention marriage arrangements, only vaguely stating he was "going to deliver a diplomatic mission," with even the matter of waiving mourning obligations briefly glossed over. The departure date had not yet been chosen, but Li Yuangui estimated it would likely be after the seventh seven-day mourning period.
"You needn't worry about family matters anymore," the Empress comforted her brother-in-law. "The Supreme Emperor's Xianling Mausoleum site has been selected and construction has begun. The burial arrangements for Empress Dowager Mu and the other consorts have also been decided. Your mother has been temporarily placed at the Temple of Rebirth, hasn't she? Now she too will have her final resting place—naturally she will be buried with the Supreme Emperor at Xianling Mausoleum, with full ceremonial honors."
The burial arrangements for their birth mother were indeed a significant matter for Li Yuangui and his sister. The Empress's arrangements were most satisfactory, and both siblings kowtowed in gratitude. The Empress instructed palace maids to help them rise, then said with a smile, "You siblings should talk. I'll go rest for a while," preparing to leave.
"Empress, please stay," Li Yuangui remained kneeling. "This subject has one more matter to request Your Majesty's grace."
"What is it?" the Empress asked in surprise.
"My sister will soon turn thirteen. With both parents gone and me about to depart beyond the frontier, leaving her alone in the capital fills me with dread. I humbly beg the Empress to personally promise me this favor—to select a husband for my seventeenth sister."
"Ah, this matter. Chengqian did mention it to me." Empress Zhangsun smiled, pausing but not resuming her seat. "Chengqian said you hadn't decided yet who to betroth your sister to. Have you made up your mind now?"
Li Yuangui glanced at his sister. The young girl's cheeks flushed crimson as she turned away, not daring to look at her elder brother and sister-in-law, but showing no signs of resistance.
Good. Li Yuangui took a deep breath:"I humbly request the Empress's gracious permission to arrange for the Seventeenth Princess to marry... Pei Lvshi, the heir of the late Minister of Works and Duke of Hedong, after the mourning period is over."
This potential brother-in-law had suddenly sprung into his mind just moments ago, after recognizing the Sixth Sister-in-law, Princess Zhao. Upon careful consideration, although Pei Lvshi was somewhat older and had children from his previous marriage, he had weathered many storms—his tolerant, steady yet capable nature would be well-suited to care for his poor younger sister who had suffered so much.
The Pei family had already been marginalized from the imperial court, with no signs of revival in sight. His seventeenth sister marrying Pei Lvshi, bearing the titles of princess and consort, could live peacefully in the capital or return to their ancestral home in Hedong as a wealthy couple, raising children and enjoying family life. Wouldn't that be ideal? If he could secure such a future for his sister, Li Yuangui could face their mother in the afterlife without shame.
Empress Zhangsun pondered for a moment before sighing, "Very well. I've always admired your Sixth Sister-in-law's composed demeanor—her elder brother must not be lacking either. The Supreme Emperor also held Pei in the highest regard during his lifetime. Strengthening family ties through this marriage would surely please both elders in the afterlife..."
As she spoke, the Empress glanced back at the Seventeenth Princess. Seeing the young girl still turned away without any reaction, she smiled at Li Yuangui. "I'll note this matter. Later, I'll have the officials from the Imperial Clan Court investigate. If there are no taboos, we'll proceed. You may set your mind at ease and focus on your achievements."
A weight seemed to lift from Li Yuangui's chest as he bowed deeply in gratitude. After exchanging a few more words—with the Seventeenth Princess remaining too shy to speak—the Empress smiled and left, allowing the siblings to talk privately.
The Seventeenth Princess sat leaning where the Empress had been, her head lowered in silence. Li Yuangui approached and sat opposite her, softly explaining Pei Lvshi's family circumstances and personality. "If you're unwilling or have someone else in mind," he asked, "I can petition the Empress for a change." The young girl only shook her head before finally blurting out, "I'll follow Brother's decision," her face flushing crimson.
So she agreed... Just as Li Yuangui felt relieved, his sister began weeping again, sniffling as she asked, "Brother... are you abandoning me? Going thousands of miles away to marry some foreign princess... never to return?"
Uncertain where she had heard such a thing, Li Yuangui smiled bitterly and repeated his plans, promising, "At most five years—I will return." After much coaxing, the girl finally stopped crying and sighed, "Five years is so long... Poor Elder Sister Wei—who knows if she'll even be alive by then..."
"Elder Sister Wei?" Li Yuangui's ears rang as he urgently asked, "You mean the eldest daughter of Imperial Secretary Wei? What happened to her?"
"Brother, you didn't know?" His sister looked at him in surprise. "I thought you agreed to marry that foreign princess because Elder Sister Wei married General Cheng and you were heartbroken..."
"Married... She... She married Cheng Yaojin?" Li Yuangui cried out in disbelief.“You really don’t know? I heard from Yingniang and Sixth Sister-in-law that Lady Wei Yi Niang has agreed to marry General Cheng as his second wife. The betrothal gifts have already been exchanged, and the entire court knows that the Wei Minister’s daughter is now General Cheng’s wife. Sister Fen Niang sacrificed herself to secure the Wei Minister and General Cheng’s efforts in persuading His Majesty to pardon you, allowing you to leave prison and atone through meritorious service…”
Li Yuangui stopped listening to the rest. He sprang up from the couch and, like a madman, dashed out of the hall door. Beneath the overcast sky, he rushed through the vast, winding corridors of the Supreme Polarity Hall, heading straight west—his mind consumed with finding Cheng Yaojin… to fight to the death.
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