Outside the rear gate of the Supreme Polarity Hall, the dark gray sky gradually quieted with fewer thunderclaps and lightning flashes. The steady patter of rain fell upon the verdant treetops beyond the doorway, its rhythm both constant and profound.
The Emperor and his son stood facing each other against this somber backdrop. Silhouetted against the dim light, their expressions were indiscernible—only two tall, slender figures in plain robes remained motionless, their outlines strikingly similar. Li Chengqian stood slightly shorter than his father, or perhaps his posture was more bowed.
The Son of Heaven turned his head, first glancing toward the faint clamor coming from the west before lowering his gaze to the ornament in his hand. His tone carried a hint of melancholy and nostalgia:
"During the fifth year of the Daye era of the former Sui dynasty, the Supreme Emperor served as the governor of Zhengzhou, stationed in the Xingyang region. A heavy rain much like this one caused several rivers to flood. Naturally, your grandfather devoted himself to disaster relief, earning the gratitude and admiration of the local people. Someone then presented this ring to him, claiming it had been unearthed from ancient tombs damaged by the floodwaters. After studying it with his advisors, your grandfather believed it to be a ceremonial artifact from the Shang dynasty, used in archery rituals. Coincidentally, your eldest uncle was about to turn twenty, and the local scholars clamored to hold a capping ceremony for him. This item seemed perfect for the occasion, and the Supreme Emperor took it as an auspicious sign. When he brought it home and told your grandmother about it, I happened to be nearby..."
The Emperor gave a bitter smile:
"I was ten that year, just beginning to learn archery and utterly fascinated by it. Spoiled by my parents and elder siblings, I threw a tantrum upon hearing about this ancient and mystical jade thumb ring, demanding it for myself. Your grandfather and grandmother needed it for a proper ceremony—how could they indulge a child’s whim? My stubbornness eventually angered my mother, who flipped me over and whipped me with a horse crop... Though the beating wasn’t severe, I felt deeply wronged and sulked for days, refusing to leave my bed."
Wei Shufen, hiding behind the pillar curtains, nearly laughed aloud. She could hear Li Chengqian coughing several times, as if struggling to suppress his own amusement.
"During those days, the household was busy preparing for your uncle’s capping ceremony, so no one paid me any mind. After the festivities ended that evening, your uncle came to check on me, but I remained sullen and refused to acknowledge him. Now a capped adult, he didn’t hold a grudge against a ten-year-old. With coaxing and persuasion, he eventually took out this jade thumb ring and secretly gave it to me, telling me to keep it from our parents and play with it as I pleased... That’s how my brother and I reconciled. I fiddled with it for a few days before tossing it into some chest, completely forgetting about it. Years later, after observing mourning for your grandmother in Hedong, your mother found it while sorting through clothes..."
The Emperor sighed softly and fell silent. Wei Shufen, however, recalled Empress Zhangsun’s words as recounted by Chai Yingluo. She knew the jade thumb ring had then passed into the hands of the bashful young bride of the Li family, becoming a token of her and her husband’s youthful romance. Later, as the young Princess of Qin, upon hearing of her husband’s rare moment of closeness with their son, she retrieved this ancient archery artifact and gave it to her eldest son as encouragement... Presumably, she hadn’t known then that the ring had originally belonged to his uncle Li Jiancheng. Given the discord between the brothers at the time, she likely wouldn’t have risked causing offense by presenting it.
And afterward? To whom had Li Chengqian ultimately given the jade ring solemnly bestowed by his mother? Why had it ended up in Li Wanxi’s dressing case after her death?"Your uncle was not inherently cold or cruel by nature. Even in the early years of the Tang Dynasty's founding, my brothers and I were quite close." The Son of Heaven sighed as he handed the silk-wrapped bundle back to his son. "Yet things escalated to that point, and whenever I recall it now, my heart aches. Such is the fate of imperial kin—merely thinking of it sends chills down one's spine, alas..."
Li Chengqian received the Jade Thumb Ring and bowed in acknowledgment, still unwilling to speak much. His father fell into a brief reverie before continuing, "These past days, keeping vigil before the mourning hall, exhausted from weeping, I've had ample time to reflect on the past. Now that your grandfather has passed, any lingering grievances have dissipated. I simply wonder—was there a way back then? What could your grandfather have done to settle all my brothers properly? Could we have maintained a lifetime of paternal kindness and filial piety, fraternal harmony and respect? At first glance, it seems simple—just as I once fervently wished. But now, upon reflection, it was never that straightforward."
Your Majesty's fervent wish back then was to depose your elder brother as Crown Prince and install yourself as the rightful heir, wasn't it? Wei Shufen silently thought. Demote Jiancheng to Prince of Shu, exile him to Yizhou—where the people are simple and the soldiers weak. Even if he grew resentful and raised an army to reclaim the throne, you'd have no fear of losing to him... According to the elders' tales, this scheme nearly succeeded several times.
"The Tang Empire was established by my hands, and thus I grew arrogant, believing the realm's allegiance was mine, that the Mandate of Heaven rested upon me. I thought our father's refusal to depose and reappoint was mere favoritism and injustice," the Emperor said slowly. "Whether this belief held merit is beside the point—let posterity judge. Do you know what now fills me with dread upon reflection? It's that no matter how fiercely I yearned or suffered, I dared not speak openly before your grandfather. What I desired, how I wished to proceed—despite being father and son, I couldn't voice it to him, nor would he confide in me. Yet it wasn't always so..."
Another thunderclap sounded beyond the palace gates, weak and distant, signaling the storm's weary retreat. The Emperor turned to gaze at the rain-soaked sky and trees, his demeanor somber:
"In my reckless youth, I too presumed upon favor. Before my father and brothers, I spoke whatever came to mind. When thwarted, I'd wail and rage until I got my way. Such was the case when I chased down the retreating army beneath Huo City, when I saved Li Yaoshi from the execution ground, when I stubbornly refused to withdraw outside Luoyang. Our family quarrels could shake the rooftops, at times nearly coming to drawn blades—yet none of it mattered. Once argued through, anger dissipated, and we'd each go about our duties in perfect harmony... But after the empire was pacified, everything changed. Father became sovereign of the Nine Provinces, his words thunderous with imperial authority. My brothers and I rose to lofty positions, our daily lives governed by decorum. We exchanged pleasantries and empty courtesies, maintaining surface harmony... while our hearts grew distant."
Yet isn't this precisely the Confucian ideal of "restraining oneself to restore propriety"? Wei Shufen wondered. For those above common scholar rank, father and son dwell in separate residences, meeting at dawn with sweet delicacies to show affection, parting at sunrise to attend their respective duties. Paternal dignity must not be compromised by familiarity; familial love must not neglect ritual... Could the rules and classics taught to her and her siblings since childhood possibly be flawed?"After the fifth year of WuDe, I began to realize it myself—I'd rather confide in your uncle or speak my mind to Xuanling, Ru Hui, Junji, and Jingde. Why? With your grandfather, even if I sealed my lips and tied my tongue in knots, he would still believe some slanderous whispers from his harem and find any excuse to reprimand me. Why invite such trouble? Your eldest uncle was even worse—a single drink at his banquet would leave me vomiting blood all night... Back then, I felt they were all out to harm me, living in constant fear. Looking back now, perhaps they did harbor ill intentions, but more importantly, they all... feared me."
Li Chengqian raised his head to look at his father. The Emperor turned his gaze to his son, and for a fleeting moment, their eyes met before both averted their glances again.
The Crown Prince continued to listen with bowed head as his father's voice grew even graver:
"Father and sons, brothers—each wielded power and commanded armies, capable of rebellion and chaos. None trusted the other; all guarded against each other. Why did the Supreme Emperor refuse to depose or appoint? As a mere prince, my prestige already rivaled the Son of Heaven's. Had I taken one more step into the Crown Prince's Palace, who in the realm could have restrained me? Now, after nine years as sovereign, I understand how hard it is to guard the imperial throne—treading as if on thin ice. Back then, your grandfather faced internal strife and external threats, far more beleaguered than I. When he abdicated in the ninth year of WuDe, claiming he would retire from politics to enjoy his twilight years, few believed him. I know at least part of his intent was genuine—whether others believe it or not."
Only after the old man's passing would a disobedient son deign to speak a few understanding words about his father—and even then, not without a touch of self-justification... Wei Shufen couldn't help but inwardly scoff on behalf of the late Supreme Emperor.
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